Tamanu is a valuable raw ingredient in cosmetic preparations and the tamanu oil is a remarkable topical healing agent, with skin healing, antineuralgic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antibiotic and antioxidant properties. It possesses a unique capacity to promote the formation of new tissue, thereby accelerating wound healing and the growth of healthy skin. Only within the past few years has tamanu oil begun to penetrate the European and US markets, primarily in the cosmetic sectors. Tamanu oil has now been shown to improve skin appearance by improving skin elasticity, firmness and smoothness. While tamanu oil has been a long kept beauty secret of the natives, it now has caught the interest of some cosmetic scientist and a number of studies have been carried out with interesting results.